There had been a physics major and a physics teaching certification at this institution (then called WV State College) until, in 1975, the state Board of Regents terminated physics majors at all state colleges except WVU, Marshall U, & WVIT.

Recently, the structure of the state board was changed, allowing more control of the curriculum by institutional boards of governors.  This institution intends to re-institute the physics teaching and physics major curricula, starting with a curriculum that will allow teacher education candidates to become certified in physics and mathematics or physics and chemistry (math and chem already have teacher preparation programs).  The University has shown its commitment to this venture by increasing the size of the Physics Department from two to three full-time tenure or tenure-track positions.  Discussions with the University's Mathematics and Education Departments, and with representatives of the WV Department of Education, have begun.